COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL ICT PRACTICES IN SCHOOL MANAGEMENT MODERNIZATION: AN ECONOMIC AND MANAGERIAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Modern school management has evolved into a complex socio-economic endeavor where the efficient reproduction of human capital is the primary mandate. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) serve as the fundamental economic lever in this transformation, transitioning from auxiliary tools to the core of institutional governance. This paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of international ICT practices in school management, examined through the lenses of management efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and data-driven decision-making. By evaluating the digital ecosystems of Finland, Estonia, and South Korea alongside the emerging reforms in Uzbekistan, the study demonstrates how integrated systems like Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) reduce administrative friction and enhance service quality [Abdinabiyeva, A.R. 2025. p.40]. The research utilizes management theories, including the Upper Echelon Theory and the Principle of Equifinality, to argue that digitalization facilitates a shift from rigid bureaucratic hierarchies to agile, decentralized network structures. The results suggest that the strategic integration of ICT not only optimizes resource allocation but also ensures institutional transparency and accountability, positioning educational institutions as competitive subsectors within the global knowledge economy.